Glossary of Terms - S

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  • Scoring

    Scoring

    Roughing up the surface of the wet clay to prepare it for joining.



  • Sgraffito

    Sgraffito

    Decorating technique where a layer of colored slip or underglaze is carved through to expose the clay underneath.



  • Shivering

    Shivering

    A glaze defect which occurs when the glaze shrinks more than the ware. It can be identified by the glaze flaking off the ware in slivers and leaving sharp edges. Shivering cannot be reversed.



  • Shrinkage

    Shrinkage

    Calculating the shrinkage of clay as it dries and is fired.



  • Silica

    Silica

    The most commonly used and necessary glass-former used in glaze manufacture. Also known as flint, and found in sand, talc, and other natural forms.



  • Slip, Engobe, Underglaze

    Slip, Engobe, Underglaze

    Liquid clay, usually with colors added, with varying shrinkage rates, used for decoration. Since slips, engobes, and underglazes do not melt and flow like glaze, detailed decorations are possible.



  • Slip Trailers

    Slip Trailers

    Squeeze bottles used for applying slip or underglaze.



  • Slip Trailing

    Slip Trailing

    Slip Trailing is a decoration technique where underglaze or colored slip is applied to clay using a squeeze bottle with a nozzle.



  • Sprigging

    Sprigging

    Decorative technique, attaching a small, shallow, and usually molded piece of clay onto a larger clay form.